ECO B50 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, Basman-Palatnik Gambit

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nxe4

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

7. d5+0.50

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, Basman-Palatnik Gambit (B50), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nxe4, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. d5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.50).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.507. d5 Qa5+ 8. Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Ne5 10. Nxe5 Qxc3+ 11. Bd2 Qxe5
  2. −0.447. O-O d5 8. Bb5 Bd7 9. Nc3 e6 10. Re1 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Bd6
  3. −0.467. Nc3 d5 8. O-O e6 9. Bb5 Bd7 10. Re1 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Be7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, Basman-Palatnik Gambit?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nxe4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. d5 for White, continuing Qa5+ 8. Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Ne5 10. Nxe5 Qxc3+ 11. Bd2 Qxe5. White is slightly better (+0.50). The next best moves are 7. O-O (−0.44) and 7. Nc3 (−0.46).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, Basman-Palatnik Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.50: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, Basman-Palatnik Gambit?
B50. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).